Manchester United are plotting a raid on rivals City for out-of-favour full-back Gael Clichy, FootballDirectNews.com understands. A source close to Old Trafford told FDN the 28-year-old features prominently on a summer transfer window wishlist and a bid could be put on the table in the coming weeks. United do not need to rush through a transfer before the World Cup as Clichy has been left out of the France squad heading for Brazil.
The left side of the Red Devils’ defence has been identified as an area in need of improvement, with Dutchman Alex Buttner failing to establish himself and long-serving Patrice Evra approaching the twilight of his career.
The United insider revealed Clichy’s lack of game time on the blue half of Manchester has given them hope of pulling off a deal, having seen him lose his starting berth to rejuvenated Serbia star Aleksandar Kolarov. Former Arsenal man Clichy still has three years remaining on his contract at the Etihad Stadium but with boss Manuel Pellegrini likely to improve his title-winning squad again before the 2014-15 campaign starts, City could decide to cash in. A Blues source revealed Sevilla man Alberto Moreno could yet arrive in Manchester before the end of the transfer window.
